a essay on meeting with a mad dog
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AN ESSAY ON THE of a Mad Dog, &c.
1. I Know not of any human attempt which bears a better resemblance to the knight of La Mancha's attack of a wind-mill, than that of combating vulgar errors; of reasoning against received opi∣nions. The most powerful and pointed arguments generally fall to the ground, when opposed by the impenetrable shield of common prejudice. Nevertheless, in the present age, when science is hourly making such rapid advances towards the discovery of truth; when knowledge is so much more universally diffused than in
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former times, it seems not unreasonable to hope, that mankind may be persuaded to bestow a few moments unbiassed atten∣tion on a subject confessedly of the highest medical importance.
2. This subject hath indeed been amply and learnedly treated by ancient and mo∣dern physicians, in various countries and languages; in this kingdom particularly, by the celebrated Dr. Mead, and the no less famous Dr. James; the latter of whom published, in the year 1760, an en∣tire volume on Canine Madness. Ancient authors were less diffuse, and were gene∣rally satisfied with transcribing from each other. Most of these writers I have con∣sidered with attention, and acknowledge myself much obliged to them for many important facts: I cannot, however, avoid observing, that their labours have a mani∣fest tendency to confirm the fatal preju∣dice which I most devoutly wish to eradi∣cate; I therefore think myself justified in adding a small application, be thus effectually prevented?